The Rock Island City Council met at 4:00 p.m. for a Governance Workshop session at Skellington Manner at 420 18^th Street. Present were Mayor Dennis E Pauley presiding, and Aldermen Terry M. A. Brooks I, Paul J. Foley, Stephen L. Tollenaer, Jason W. Jones, Joy Murphy and Charles O. Austin III. Staff present included City Manager John C. Phillips and Public Works Director Bob Hawes. Also present was Lyle Sumek, Group Facilitator of Sumek and Associates. Alderman David Conroy arrived at 4:06 p.m.

MISCELLANEOUS

City Manager John Phillips opened the discussion by commenting on several items regarding Douglas Park and the City of Moline inquiring upon the City of Rock Island in regards to pursuing the idea of a dual Fire Chief role. Mr. Phillips also stated that there would be an Executive Session on Monday, June 8, 2009.

GOVERNANCE WORKSHOP DISCUSSION

Mr. Sumek stated that Rock Island is the only City in the Quad Cities that has a Council-Manager form of Government. Mr. Sumek added that historically, the Council-Manager form of Government is approximately 90 to 100 years old and was based on a group of good government performers in Virginia that used a private sector model.

Mr. Sumek then referred to the Working Model section of the Governance book that was provided to Council and discussed the city team in action in regards to governance, management and service. Mr. Sumek offered that the Mayor and Council are seen as the Board of Directors and the CEO is the City Manager. The City Council sets policy and determines the direction. It was noted that another part of the Council-Manager form of government is being non-partisan, involving boards and commissions and the common consensus of obtaining citizen input.

Mr. Sumek made reference to the Governance section of the guide regarding the Responsibility of the Mayor and City Council (Board of Directors.) Mr. Sumek explained that the business of the City regarding the Mayor and City Council is to set goals, develop strategies, listen to the whole community, be an advocate, delegate to City staff, monitor performance and ask for updates and set the corporate tone. Mr. Sumek also discussed the 12 points of an effective Mayor and Council. Various points for success included; focusing on the vision, goals and priorities of the City, providing clear direction, negotiation, treating others with respect, having open communication, having a community presence and sharing successes.

It was noted that the key to success is having effective teams and teamwork is critical for any city. Mr. Sumek stated that effective teams are GREAT, which incorporates Goals, Roles, Execution, Attitudes and Trust. Mr. Sumek elaborated on the teamwork model and stated that individual contributions, respect for one another and commitments are very important for winning teams. Mr. Sumek also discussed different types of teams as it relates to conflict, competition, achieving goals, refocusing goals and sharing successes.

Mr. Sumek distributed a questionnaire to Council in regards to behavioral responses to conflicts. After Council completed the questionnaire, Mr. Sumek discussed the group’s responses as it related to competition, negotiation (collaboration and compromising), avoidance and accommodation. In addition, Mr. Sumek discussed various guidelines for Council to operate as a team regarding negotiations, which included; identifying the bottom line of each individual member, negotiate on the true differences, value the differences in each other’s opinions and avoid overreacting to each other.

Mr. Sumek then discussed the impact and challenges facing city leaders regarding empowerment, citizens’ attitudes towards services, focusing on important issues and making decisions.

In the last part of the discussion, Mr. Sumek inquired upon Council to write down the criteria that they would use in the next several years to show that the group has operated effectively as it relates to their successes. Council then discussed their answers. In addition, Mr. Sumek discussed Mayor and City Council Operating Guidelines. Various protocols discussed included; simple information, citizen service requests, agendas, urgent information and study sessions.

Mr. Sumek distributed several documents regarding Mayor and Council expectations that were gathered from the individual interviews with the group. Various Council expectations included; working as a team, listening to citizens in the community, being an advocate of the district and representing the city in the community. Various Mayoral expectations included; developing the Council as a team, treating everyone with respect, maintaining open communication, keeping Council focused on the City’s vision and goals and serving as a visible cheerleader and advocate for the City.

Council then discussed a few issues regarding the budget. Mr. Sumek stated that a summary of the Governance Workshop would be provided to Council at a later date. Mr. Sumek thanked the Mayor and Council for their time and hoped that the group found the workshop to be helpful.

Following discussion, Alderman Austin moved and Alderwoman Murphy seconded to recess to Monday, June 8, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Alderman Brooks, Alderman Conroy, Alderman Foley, Alderman Tollenaer, Alderman Jones, Alderwoman Murphy and Alderman Austin; those voting No, none.

The meeting was recessed at 8:36 p.m.

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Aleisha L. Patchin, City Clerk